The Federal Government has expanded its youth empowerment drive through several funding, entrepreneurship, education and skills development programmes aimed at improving employability and supporting business growth.
Below are 14 key opportunities and where interested applicants can apply or obtain official information.
- Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)
- Interest-free student loans for eligible tertiary institution students.
- Portal: https://nelf.gov.ng
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme
- Free vocational and technical training with support for eligible participants.
- Portal: https://tvet.education.gov.ng (or the Federal Ministry of Education website for updates).
- 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT)
- Digital skills training in software development, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and related fields.
- Portal: https://3mtt.nitda.gov.ng
- Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)
- Digital skills, entrepreneurship training, startup support and innovation programmes.
- Portal: https://niya.gov.ng
- NiYA Gig Platform
- Connects trained youths with freelance and remote work opportunities.
- Access: Available through the Nigerian Youth Academy portal.
- National Youth Development Bank
- The proposed bank is expected to provide affordable financing for youth-owned businesses once fully operational.
- Updates: https://fmyd.gov.ng
- Digital Literacy for All Initiative
- Nationwide digital literacy programme for Nigerians.
- Updates: https://nitda.gov.ng
- Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP)
- Skills development, entrepreneurship and job placement initiative.
- Portal: https://leep.gov.ng
- NDE Renewed Hope Employment Initiative
- Vocational training, resettlement packages and entrepreneurship support.
- Portal: https://nde.gov.ng
- CNG-Powered Tricycle Empowerment Scheme
- Distribution of CNG tricycles to qualified beneficiaries under the Presidential CNG Initiative.
- Portal: https://pci.gov.ng
- Ministry of Steel Development Youth Bootcamp
- Training in welding, fabrication, metallurgy and industrial skills.
- Portal: https://steel.gov.ng
- Nigeria Health Fellowship
- Leadership and workforce development programme for young health professionals.
- Portal: https://healthfellows.ng
- SMEDAN Programmes
- Entrepreneurship training, business support and access to finance for MSMEs.
- Portal: https://smedan.gov.ng
- Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Youth Entrepreneurship Fund
- Enterprise financing and business support for eligible youths in the Niger Delta region.
- Portal: https://nddc.gov.ng
The Federal Government has continued to encourage young Nigerians to leverage these programmes to acquire in-demand skills, access funding and create sustainable livelihoods. Applicants are advised to use only official government portals, verify eligibility requirements and watch for application announcements, as some programmes are open only during designated application windows.
Editor’s note: A few programmes—such as the National Youth Development Bank and some empowerment initiatives—are still being rolled out. Their official websites currently serve mainly as information hubs, while application windows are announced separately. It’s advisable to monitor the relevant ministry or agency portal for updates.